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not-so-anonymous-scotch · 1 year

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Etho finds Nebris' name in the Death Games rotation, and takes the opportunity quickly. Nebris savors the moment instead, even if it hurts. m/m nebtho, focused on violence, character death (respawning), 2.2k words.

AN: wow been like 9 years since i wrote a nebtho fic but this was fun. i really tried to push the vibe i have for them especially bc i wanted this to differ enough from the ethubs fic i did too. i can be a bit more silly and foward with nebris in a way i cannot be with bdubs. and i can admit i struggled a tad on the "suggestive" part bc in my head it just kept going to literal smut, oops. this is not smut but i think i need to get that out of my system privately.

[ read full fic below cut ]

Nebris- the name was etched on the silver sword when Etho had gone to check the status of the Death Games'. It had been a while- the last times Nebris had popped up, Etho hadn't been around for it, and he hadn't yet heard of anyone succeeding with a kill on him either. He wanted to change that.

A different tactic could work. The armor and weapons had to be used, but it didn't have to be on until he started attacking, right? He wanted to play it casual. With the hub still under construction, Etho could probably give off the idea that he was casually chipping away at the build, while being able to hold a casual conversation with Nebris. Letting his guard down would certainly help.

After sitting around and making himself busy with nothing, it was only a matter of time before Nebris walked through the portal by chance- and he did. Peeking from around the corner where he chiseled away at the quartz walls, Etho watched Nebris step out into the center of the hub. He wasn't trying to hide- not yet- and caught the other's gaze.

“Oh, hey!” Nebris gave a short wave as he approached Etho, heading up the steps of the east wing. “I was just coming to see if I could like... claim a spot in here.”

“Yeah- yeah, it's not done yet but a few guys already took some spots.” Etho nodded to the area behind him. “Go pick whatever spot, Bdubs will fit it with the system we're planning.”

It was only a few moments after Nebris has placed down a chest to store his materials that Etho heard a sigh.

“...Uh, hold on- I need to get rails. I'll be back.” Etho didn't respond as he saw Nebris head back down the stairs and through the Nether portal to spawn.

His tone was stiff and Etho wondered if he was able to tell why Etho was linger around. Nebris always liked playing along though- so he'd be back. Etho knew he would be.

Etho got up from his spot, tucking himself around the inner corner of the Nether portal. He took the assumed Death Games armor and weapons, prepared for the fair fight. There could have been a better chance to get it done before this, as Nebris could easily return with better armor... but this was better than missing entirely. As Etho waited, he eyed the area. The storage room was not far off, and if Etho could direct Nebris over there, he had a good chance of making it hard for him to fight regardless of his gear.

His heart was beating in his chest as he waited for the sounds of the portal again. In the corner of his eye Etho saw it- on the right, he could see Nebris stepping through the portal. He undoubetly knew Etho was behind him, but couldn't react fast enough when Etho stepped forward with his sword extended. The feeling of something sharp prodded at Nebris' back, making him look over his shoulder at his perpetrator.

“Vyou're always so forward.” Nebris said as he stood there, looking back at Etho.

Etho kept the sword in place. “You didn't come back with armor. Did you not expect me?”

“Oh, I did. I just thought it'd be more fun if I came unprepared.” Nebris grinned, giving a short shrug.

“More fun more me or...?” Etho chuckled. “Cuz I don't think you're going to have lots of fun dying.”

Nebris scoffed, “Of course I want to make sure you enjoy yourself.. But I'm not dying today.”

With that, Nebris quickly turned around and tried to side step, but was blocked as Etho jabbed his sword to where he tried to slip out. It clanked against the netherbrick door frame of the storage room, making Nebris stop once more to consider his moves. This corner of the hub was a tight squeeze, and he knew that was why Etho nudged him this direction.

He glanced from the sword then back up to Etho. Within seconds Etho pulled the sword back again and gave Nebris no time to think as he rushed forward, forcing him through the narrow entrance of the cluttered storage room.

“Oh, you son of a-” Nebris was cut off as he focused again on not meeting the blade of that sword, sliding against one wall of chests. Even as he came unprepared on purpose, Nebris was confident he could make his way out of this.

Etho was silent still as he went for Nebris, this time the blade grazed the top of his shoulder before Nebris could be fast enough to avoid it entirely. There was a wince, and Nebris quickly tried to duck out of the way again, trying to slip past Etho and get behind him. But following that poor decision, Etho was able to trip him with ease, the tight quarters allowing Nebris no room to recover. He put out his hands to stop himself from face-planting against the wall, grunting as his breath was knocked out of him.

In no time at all Etho approached him from behind, slipping the sword under Nebris' chin. The flat side of the blade was cold as Nebris felt his chin tilt up, Etho using the rest of his body weight to keep him in place.

“Shit-” Nebris hissed under his breath. When he swallowed, he could feel the blade against his skin. “Okay, I know I didn't come prepared on purpose but come on- you're going too fast.. Slow down a little.”

Etho tilted the blade slightly, his free hand pressed against Nebris's back to keep him there. “Well I'll admit I feel like you're going easy on me..” He leaned in. “No one else has killed you recently, Nebris. Being clumsy, no armor...”

Nebris chuckled, turning ever so carefully against the sword to look at Etho. “Yeah, I would've ended this in minutes if I had my gear. Can't I savor the moment of being actually at risk of dying by your hand?”

Etho rolled his eyes, pressing his weight against Nebris again. “Maybe I should just finish this...”

Nebris' eyes widened slightly as Etho tapped his chin with the sword, leaning his head back to avoid it further. His hands scuffed against the wall as he felt the pressure of Etho holding him against it.

“Whoa, I said slow down.” Nebris cleared his throat. “It's not gonna be satisfying if you rush things, you know.”

Even though Nebris was quite sure he had no chance in this fight now, he was going to delay his death in whatever way he could. Etho was very straightforward and to the point and he was easily flustered by Nebris' antics. It was the one thing that could buy him some time.

He shifted against Etho, tilting his hips slightly. Each movement had him dangerously closer to the sharp side of the blade, but all he was doing was trying to wiggle free from Etho's grasp, even if that means rubbing up against him in all the wrong ways.... or just the right ways to fluster Etho.

Nebris could feel Etho keeping himself still in order to stop him as much as possible, but when Nebris wriggled against him again he felt Etho flinch. For a moment the weight against Nebris lightened, and he took that as a good sign. Etho could only handle the contact for so long if Nebris managed to irritate him enough. Yes, irritate. It totally had to do with irritating him.

“Stop-” Etho hissed under his breath. “Stop moving.”

Nebris held his breath as the sword got close again, Etho pushing back against him the moment he realized he almost gave Nebris room to escape.

“Hey, hey- Just tryin' to get comfortable.” Nebris said, breathlessly as he tried to avoid the sharp blade.

His snarky response didn't help, as Etho immediately pushed the blade closer to his neck. “You are- you are such an ass.” Nebris clenched his teeth, instinctively recoiling and pressing back up against Etho.

The struggle began again, this time with more force as Nebris was more keen on actually wiggling free. Their clothes scuffed against each other, short breaths echoing in the small storage room. Nebris was desperately trying to turn himself around, grabbing back at Etho to pull that sword away just enough for some freedom. With one hand he gripped Etho's sword wielding arm, pushing back against him as he awkwardly tried to shimmy out.

“Etho, please-” Nebris' voice came out quiet, feigning innocence in his tone. “Etho-”

Etho lost his footing ever so slightly, allowing Nebris the smallest of openings. Nebris ducked out of the way, turning to face Etho. Still between him and the wall, Nebris wasn't offered much more safety, but he could have a bit more control at least.

Or so he thought- glancing back up to Etho, Nebris' eyes widened when he felt a hand grip his shirt, and the sword wielding one pull back for a strike once again.

“Okay, I think we're done here.” Etho said with a huff, glaring down at Nebris.

Panic was quick to strike Nebris as he put his hands against Etho, back in the struggle. Nebris didn't exactly have the upper hand, but he'd gained the advantage by turning himself around. No longer pinned down, he was able to push Etho back, disrupting his attempt to kill him. The two were locked in a back and forth until Nebris managed to get out of Etho's grasp, stepping away from the wall. But Etho bounded towards him with quick intent.

Nebris felt his feet slide out from under him, stumbling on his way towards the exit, as Etho managed to knock him down. Nebris kept his grip and Etho came down with him, their bodies thumping against the floor. Even with the wind knocked out of him, Etho did not forget his goal. Straddling Nebris and keeping his weight on top, Etho straightened up and steadied the sword in his grip.

It took Nebris a moment to recover, as the pain from the fall radiated in his skull. He could feel the pressure of Etho on top on him, and blinking his eyes open he was greeted to the same glare.

In just that moment, the glint of the sliver sword flashed as Etho brought it down. With little thought, Nebris put his hands out in front of him. With searing, burning pain, his hands wrapped around the blade as he attempted to stop it from slicing his throat. Red budded from the cut on his palms, seeping up from under the silver. It moved so smoothly against his skin, cutting deeper with each slight shift.

“Agh- shit, shit..” Nebris winced, fingers wrapped around the blade. He tried not to blatantly clench his teeth when he looked back up to Etho.

Etho leaned in closer, pressing the blade down with both gloved hands. “What are you doing?”

He could swear there was a grin of amusement under that mask. Nebris was just making this more painful than he needed to.

“Uh.. I- I'm.. trying to not die?” His voice came out strained, even as he chuckled. Each push Etho gave made the blood run a little quicker, and make Nebris bite his lip a little harder.

“I thought you were excited for me to kill you?”

“Try- try to kill me- try.”

He was holding back, a lot. Pained sounds were caught in his throat.

“No try, Nebris. I'm going to.”

Etho pushed the blade closer, only an inch away from Nebris' neck as he continued to hold it back. Their bodies were pressed together, with no intent to widen the gap now as Etho remained on top of him. He was going to get this kill, and if he needed Nebris to hurt enough that he begged for it, then so be it.

“Nebris...” Etho hummed, watching as the red spill down Nebris' wrist, staining the sleeves of his shirt. “If it hurts so bad, you should really just let me kill you now.”

Nebris' face was pained, even as he tried to fight through it. “Oh its fine, I can wait this out.”

Etho used his weight to push down again, receiving a gasp in response and a mutter under Nebris' breath.

“Hm? What was that?” Etho looked down at him. Nebris' hands were trembling.

“God-” Nabris hissed in pain, “Fuck you.”

“Is it too much?” Etho chuckled.

Nebris nodded lightly as he squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, breathing hard.

“So...”

“Kill me- you can kill me.” He was trying so hard to not sound like he was whining- begging for it.

“Can I hear a 'please'?”

Nebris groaned, each second longer doing nothing to help his situation. “Dammit Etho-- kill me, please- please kill me.”

Hands released, the sword met Nebris' throat with ease. Right across the center, the kill was made. The moment his body faded, Nebris found himself shaking his hands in irritation, stinging against his skin ever present even when he respawned back in his base. The moment he gripped that blade in defense, he knew it was going to leave a nasty scar, and it wasn't going to end in his favor...

Across his fingers and his palms he could see a thick pale line across his skin. He exhaled, ignoring whatever witty comment Etho left in the chat. Dying was not something he liked to do. But there was a reason he hadn't been murdered in the death games by anyone else... Nebris had to save it for just the right moment. The right person. And there was no person he'd rather have than Etho.

#nebtho #mindcrack #nebris #ethoslab #etho #mc smp #mindcrack fanfic #mcyt #mcyt fic

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